barbed

adjective

ˈbärbd 

1

: having barbs

2

: characterized by pointed and biting criticism or sarcasm

barbed witticisms

Synonyms of barbed

• satiric
• sarcastic
• acidic
• acid
• biting

Examples of barbed in a Sentence

The candidates exchanged barbed comments during the debate.

barbed satire on American academia

Recent Examples on the Web

The tow lot was surrounded by chain-link fencing threaded with strips of plastic and topped by barbed wire. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

What happened to his barbed humanistic wit? — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 June 2026

Johnson was initially refused entry, but got inside by using a set of stairs to hop a barbed wire fence, prosecutors said. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2026

The fence, as constructed, is more than 8 feet tall and is topped with a strand of barbed wire — too high for many animals to jump and dangerous for those that attempt to do so. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing barbed

• barbed wire

Rhymes for barbed

• garbed